11 Ways You’re Getting Old Faster Than You Need To

Although most people want to look younger, they may age too quickly. They don’t realize they pile years on their appearance with bad habits. If you want to appear youthful and radiant, you might need to make a few lifestyle tweaks.

Lack of sleep

“Work hard and play hard, that’s my motto.”

Sound familiar? You may imagine you deserve to party beyond midnight as compensation for diligence during the day. Nonetheless, everyone needs their beauty sleep; miss it, and you will age – quickly.

Regular late nights result in droopy eyelids under-eye bags. You’ll look unattractive, less healthy, and older than you are if you burn the midnight oil. Change from a night owl to a lark to reset your body clock and get the sleep you need.

Stress

The jury is out about whether stress causes gray hair, but several scientists think it’s likely. The onset of pigmentation loss may occur up to 10 years early because of chronic anxiety. Likewise, your skin might age rapidly if you’re stressed.

The good news is reducing stressors can increase the health of your DNA. Decrease anxiety and you’ll stay younger longer.

Not exercising enough

You might feel you exercise enough if your days are long and exhausting. However, sitting at a desk, and then in front of the TV, won’t give your body a workout.

Research reveals a lack of exercise can shorten your lifespan and cause various debilitating diseases. By adding a 30-minute walk to your day, you can fulfill your exercise quota and prolong your life.

Smoking

“Smoking’s one of my few vices, and I enjoy it.”

How often have you heard (or said) these words? The potential results of your habit, though, are not enjoyable. These include early dementia, cancer, heart disease, a shortened lifespan, and old-looking skin. To increase your well-being and improve your attractiveness, stop smoking.

If you’ve tried before but failed, give hypnotherapy a chance. It’s likely to work as long as you believe in the process.

Stressing your skin

Do you rub your eyes when tried, wear makeup to bed, or sleep with your face on your pillow? If so, your nocturnal habits contribute to premature aging.

The skin around your eyes is thin. Dragging and pulling the delicate under-eye area results in wrinkles and broken capillaries. To protect your skin, stop touching your face, use silk pillowcases, and apply cucumber slices to your eyes to reduce puffiness and discomfort.

Always remove makeup gently, too, before hitting the hay.

Alcohol consumption

Is red wine good for health? Well, only to an extent. It contains a tiny amount of resveratrol, which is famed for its antioxidant properties. Any potential health gains do not outweigh the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption.

In fact, alcohol dependency accounts for high death rates and many cases of cirrhosis of the liver and heart failure. Additionally, drinking too much can make your face red, puffy, and lined.

Being overweight

You should rethink the notion you can just drop pounds and inches whenever you become overweight. Yes, you can diet successfully, but repeatedly doing so ages you.

Yo-yo dieting increases the risk of life-threatening illnesses. Remaining overweight, however, can also leave you prone to disease and reduce fitness. Ill health makes you look old.

Eating junk foods

Most people love junk food; it’s designed to hook them. Once you eat it regularly, the bad bacteria in your gut increase and prompt you to continue.

Processed foods have too much salt and fat, and little nutritional value. Turn your health and longevity around by consuming more vegetables, oily fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts. As a bonus, your skin will appear young and fresh.

Sitting

Sitting is detrimental to longevity and wellness. Unfortunately, many people who work in offices can’t exercise for much of the day. You can, and should, stretch more and get up from your desk often. Take the stairs, walk to work, and consider using a standing desk to live longer.

Forgetting sunscreen

Not using sunblock can lead to skin cancer. Just knowing this ought to motivate people to apply factor 30 to 50 every day. Experts say ultraviolet exposure causes premature aging of the skin. Even if you wear sunblock before going to the beach, the chances are, you forget to apply more before running errands.

You might also sit in your garden without wearing sunscreen. Realistically, you need to put it on every time you are exposed to UV rays.

Stay younger longer by treating your body with respect. Get plenty of sleep and reduce stress, take more exercise and drink less alcohol, and stop smoking and consuming too much sugar and processed foods. Additionally, eat a healthy diet, don’t get overweight, and take care of your skin, and use sunscreen.

Also, move more than you sit. The result will be better health and a youthful appearance.

About Kristie Leong M.D.

I'm a family practice physician with a strong interest in preventive medicine. I trained at the Medical College of Virginia where I earned a medical degree (M.D.) and a master's degree after graduating with a double bachelor's degree in biology and psychology.My philosophy? Strive to be fit and fabulous at any age! I show people how to do that through my writing. Read more about me here.